Winter's Storm

Chapter 2: Missing In Action

Car is parked, bags are packed

But what kind of heart doesn't look back

At the comfortable glow from the porch, the one I would still call yours

All those words came undone, and now I'm not the only one

Facing the ghosts that decided if the fire inside still burns

All I have, all I need, he is the air I would kill to breathe

Holds my love in his hands, still I'm searching for something

- Breathe Again by Sara Bareilles

Once Kagome spotted Eri in the crowd of commuters, she jogged to give her friend a warm hug. Eri reciprocated the hug, and just about crushed Kagome's bones with the intensity of the embrace. "It's been forever since I've seen your face! It's good we found each other, there's a train that departs soon. Let's get out of here!" Eri pulled Kagome by the hand, leading her through the crowd of people in the direction of the soon-to-be leaving train.

"Here we are," Eri and Kagome boarded the train just as soon as the conductor announced the one minute warning bell before the doors close. Looking around the girls noticed two empty seats to the right and plopped down in relief.

"So which stores would you like to go to, Eri?" Knowing Eri, she would have spent no time at all to write a list of stores they had to visit. Eri beamed when Kagome asked this, and as Kagome predicted. The fashionista pulled out a piece of paper with the list of stores in order by different categories.

"Eri! How much are you spending? You've practically listed almost all the stores there!" Kagome eyed the list and sighed in relief. No lingerie stores. She never liked going to the stores with others around. It was embarrassing to say the least.

"Well, I just want to price things out first. Make sure these stores aren't misleading me on quality. You know how it is." Kagome chuckled at Eri, usually she didn't worry about the price of things. Her parents weren't poor, and lived a life of luxury. It was nice to see Eri being practical and conscious of spending.

"Where do you want to go to, Kagome?" Eri smiled at Kagome. "You get first dibs where we go since you were the one to ask me to join you on this spree."

"Oh, um thanks Eri. That's nice of you. I need to get some clothes that fit me better, and a new backpack." Kagome pondered which stores would be best to shop at with 45000 yen ($400 US). "Hm, maybe Forever 21, H&M, and Bershka."

Eri beamed. "Well Bershka is in my top three, and I wouldn't mind checking the other stores either."

When they finally arrived at Lala Port, they singled out the stores they wanted to go visit. Kagome pulled out some bodysuit tops, skinny jeans, leggings, belted jumpsuits, knit sweaters, and a fashionable fur vest that looked very warm. With Eri's fashion help, Kagome was able to find beautiful clothes for affordable prices. Kagome was even able to pick up a pair of tall, black leather boots. The backpack she found at a travel store. She had purchased a black bag made out of sturdy waterproof fabric, with large compartments, a water holster and lunch bag. The book was still on her mind, she needed to find out more information about the final battle.

Eri, like she stated previously, was pricing the clothes out. Although, she did manage to pick up quite a few pieces of clothing as well. Unknown to Kagome, Eri had scheduled a spa appointment for the two of them at a highly-reputable salon in the mall. She was lucky she knew the manager at the store to schedule a last-minute appointment. Usually you had to book well in advance to get one service, if you're fortunate enough you may just be able to get two services.

"Let's grab some food from the food court," Kagome felt the grumble of her stomach. "I'm starved."

After eating a burger with fries, and sipping on some fizzy drinks, Kagome and Eri planned their next round of shopping. It was Eri's turn to pick a store, and so she made sure to mention a store that was just a little bit past the salon they would be going to next. Kagome was curious what else Eri needed after glancing at the bags upon bags they had accumulated while shopping. She only had a little bit left of her birthday money, she would only be able to afford her transportation back home.

As if sensing the worry from her friend, Eri decidedly changed the topic. "It's too bad we can't wear our new outfits to school. I'll be buying my sixth uniform in two years. It starts losing its shape after the 30th wash, but I expected half as much."

"You're too right. The threads run in the skirt, and the sweater rips easily." Surprisingly, with how many battles Kagome has been in she still hasn't surpassed Eri's uniform purchase record. She was on the third uniform in the past two years at their high school. She doesn't know how that worked out since her uniform saw more dirt on a daily.

"Well, it's almost time for us to get going to our next stop," Eri glanced at her phone and read that it was 2:45 p.m. Their appointment was scheduled for 3 o'clock.

When they arrived, Kagome looked puzzled. As soon as Eri went straight to the front desk, she gave the receptionist her name, and shockingly, Kagome's as well.

"Eri! Can I speak with you for a second?" Kagome's financial worries resurfaced again. She definitely could not afford to splurge on this kind of luxury. Eri looked back and whispered, "it's ok, it's on me."

Kagome was floored. She couldn't let her friend spoil her, especially at this kind of salon. Suddenly the problems related to the feudal era seemed to be growing smaller in Kagome's mind. The floor was even made out of creamy marble. What was she thinking? The salon was large in its size. The front of the store was just the waiting room. There were relaxing aromas, and man-made waterfalls adorning the walls. Spanning the base of the walls was a continuous rectangular strip of a pond full of koi fish and lily pads. Really, this salon was expensive to say the least.

"Kagome, it's ok. Really. I know the manager." Eri soothed the girl's stress, but Kagome still felt awful for allowing her to treat her so lavishly with a spa.

The receptionist rose from her seat behind the desk, and requested they follow her to a white door with a golden triangular knob at the back of the spa. Eri looked back to see Kagome looking around in awe. Once the door was open, the receptionist directed them to two changing rooms where white fluffy robes and white slippers rested neatly on upholstered spa blue chairs.

"After you're both done changing, just ring this bell and a specialist will meet with you." After thanking the receptionist, Kagome turned to Eri.

"Eri, you don't have to pay for me...I don't have anything left right now to offer in return.." Eri, shook her head in protest.

"Kagome, I didn't do this to make you feel bad. Quite the opposite," Eri smiled sheepishly. "I wanted to thank you in my own way for asking me to hang out with you. It's not everyday we get to relax and treat ourselves. Before we know it, we'll be in university and who knows if we will be at the same one. This is about making memories." Kagome was shocked and so flattered that Eri would be so thoughtful.

"Besides, that two-timing jerk is going to realize what a moron he is when you see each other next. You're going to look amazing after Andre is done with your makeover. He'll forget about that other girl for good when he sees you." Kagome sweat dropped and blushed. She was about to comment, but Eri pushed the robes and slippers into Kagome's arms. "Get dressed. Let yourself be pampered, Kagome. You deserve it." With that Eri closed the curtain to her change room.

Kagome slowly closed her curtain and stripped her clothing, laying them in a neat pile where the robes were a moment before. I guess she had no choice but to stop complaining and enjoy the gift Eri was giving her. Whether Inuyasha paid attention to her after this was questionable. There wasn't much stopping him in his advances towards Kikyo. What would change if she showed up all dolled up to the feudal era of all places?

After she tied up her robe and slipped on the slippers provided, she left the change room and joined Eri at the gold tasseled bell hanging near the doorway. Eri pulled on the tassel, and was greeted with a beautiful chiming ring. The girls giggled in response and soon they were introduced to their specialist.

"Oh, welcome back Eri-chan! I see you've brought along a friend this time." A man with short, styled black hair and green eyes approached the door. He spoke with hospitality, confidence and grace. "My name is Andre, and you must be Kagome. Welcome to Takada Spa. We have a few menus of services that we offer if you'd like to look at them, let me know what you decide and I'll let our staff know so they can follow through with the preparations."

Once the menus were in hand, Eri and Kagome looked over the services the spa provided. Eri, smirked knowing exactly what she wanted done, and wrote down the numbers corresponding to the service. Kagome, on the other hand, was having a tough time figuring out what she should have done. There were so many options, and she'd hate to choose an expensive option. Who was she kidding, they were all expensive.

Eri looked at Kagome. "Pick whatever you want. Don't look at the prices."

Kagome stopped biting down on her lip, and read through each choice carefully. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to re-vamp her look. That decided it. She pencilled in the numbers for the spa treatments and returned her menu back to Andre. Andre smiled at the both of them, and left to make the arrangements.

...

It must have been the evening by now. Kagome had so many services done, and after the first spa treatment she no longer felt guilty. She relaxed like Eri told her to, and the rest was amazing. She felt better than a million bucks. She even looked better than a million bucks. She was still herself, but there was an bubble of excitement that grew inside her chest when she noticed what had changed. Her hair once long, was now a shoulder length tousled long bob with a bayalage and ombre colour treatment. Her once black hair was lightened with caramel and dark brown locks that were coloured to absolute perfection. Her hair was so soft, and felt feathery to the touch. Her bangs were even groomed into the common side-bang style.

She looked more mature, there was no way Inuyasha would look at her and see Kikyo. Her face was the show stopper by far. Her caramel eyes were emphasized with a warm bronze eyeshadow and coupled with a smouldering smokey eye. Her upper eyelid was lined with black eyeliner, and long lashes elongated with black water-proof mascara. With just a little accent of shimmering white to the corner of her eyes, she looked not like anyone else, but herself. The last addition to her makeup was a light blush and a matte pink colour to her lips. She wasn't some porcelain doll, but her eyes held a different fire. One of determination in herself as a person, and as a gorgeous young lady. She was no longer lanky, after years of building muscle from battles and long journeys. Her body was toned and tanned. After getting a massage and body wrap applied in her list of treatments. She felt on top of the world. The last few additions to her look was the French pedicure and manicure, and boy did she enjoy that too.

Eri happened to get the same service as Kagome, minus the full hair service. Her hair was already short and styled the way she liked it. When the girls reunited from their time apart, Eri and Kagome complimented each other and their specialists for dolling them up.

The specialists included a group of 4 women and Andre. On specialist with blue eyes and blonde hair spoke out to the girls, "You both look fabulous! If I didn't know any better, Andre, they look like models from Couture agency." Andre's eyes lit up at the idea. After a moment of discussion, Andre walked over to the girls and told them the stylists enjoyed the whole makeover so much that they would like to recruit them into their list of models for their magazine. Kagome and Eri had stars in their eyes and enthusiastically accepted the employment offer. "Couture Modelling often comes by to see if they can borrow models for their line of products, so you never know where this may lead for you both."

"Instead of charging you for the service today, we'll include it in a up-front recruitment fee for photos and services." Andre clapped his hands together. "We can schedule that for another day. The only thing I need to ask of you is to get a co-signor. Although you are old enough to work in Japan, modelling agencies have a strict rule about hiring minors under the age of eighteen. Which means we need parental or guardian consent to continue with the applications."

Eri and Kagome smiled at each other. This just seemed too good to be true. They took the forms from Andre and linked their arms together while walking back outside to the receptionist. Andre followed behind them, obviously pleased with this outcome and having known Eri and her parents for eight years he just knew that this would likely be where the girl's future would be. As for her friend, he didn't really know her very well having only just met her today. She was very beautiful herself, and he thought to himself maybe this could benefit her in the end as well.

"We'll take payment now, but it will be re-directed to the application once you fax or courier back the signed forms." Eri and Kagome snapped out of their combined reverie and Eri reached into her purse for her credit card. She charged both services onto her card, and by the end of the transaction Andre handed the girls two envelopes full of brochures and information packets about the modelling contracts. "Feel free to contact Michue, our receptionist, if you have any questions. We look forward to contacting you both very soon."

"Thanks so much, Andre!" Both girls, now future models, chimed in unison. As they left the salon, they couldn't help but notice the glass ceiling of the mall being dark since it was past seven o'clock. They giggled having stayed out past their intended time to be home, but felt confident with their endeavour for the day. They walked outside of the mall hand in hand with their other hands supporting their numerous bags and new employment opportunity. Kagome thought of using this job opportunity to save up money for school and supporting herself. Her mind was far into the future, dreaming up the possibilities. One thing popped back into her mind again. The feudal era. She had to do something about that first. Perhaps this opportunity had to be postponed until after school.

Before Kagome and Eri travelled back to their homes separately, they made a promise to call each other the next day after they sent off their signed contracts. "Ayumi and Yuka aren't going to believe us when we break the news." Eri chuckled at the look on their faces when they find out. Kagome smiled, "We can't make them jealous or anything, Eri. I know Ayumi will take it in stride, but Yuka I don't know."

Eri seemed to agree with Kagome, "Ya, you're right. We can't keep it secret, once the popular girls find out from looking in magazines...it's only a matter of time..." Eri had a devilish look in her eye. "Hey Kagome...maybe that new student will take an interest in you."

"Oh, I don't think that would make anything easier for me." Kagome chuckled, with a light blush gracing her cheeks.

"Talk to you later, Kagome. I gotta bounce." Eri waved goodbye and went on her way to catch her bus from the Tokyo train station. Kagome waved back and headed in the direction of the bus to take her home. 'What a day!' Kagome counted all the things that she was still trying to wrap her head around. It's not easy having a book tell you you're one of the worst things that happened to the feudal era. Why was she still there? Counting in her head, she went through the list of things she had learned.

1. I am the reincarnation of Midoriko

2. I've caused a lot of chaos, and deaths in the feudal era...I feel so terrible, I didn't even mean to..it was an accident. I didn't know!

3. There's an inevitable world-wide extermination of demons, if I don't stop it from happening first

4. Inuyasha is the key

5. The jewel must be destroyed

6. There's an unknown human that wants to exterminate demons good and bad

7. Inuyasha's father, his legacy and Midoriko

8. Midoriko's will

Once home, Kagome walked up the shrine steps and found that the house had its Christmas lights put up. Even the Goshinboku had projected green and red lights twinkling against its bark and branches. It was absolutely beautiful. When she got to the door, she could feel a familiar presence inside. 'Inuyasha.'

He was here. In her house. If he was waiting for a long time, she could only guess that she was in for some lecture about staying longer than they had originally agreed. With a deep breath, Kagome walked in and heard Souta showing Inuyasha a new game. The rustle of her bags drew her mother's attention first as she made her way into the kitchen.

"Kagome, you're home! Just in time. Inuyasha arrived only half an hour ago to pick you up." Rei took a good look at her daughter, and beamed. Before she could say anything, Inuyasha made this his moment to respond.

"Ya only to find you weren't here-" Inuyasha yelled from the living room his sentiments about the situation. "Dam what are these things called anyway, Souta?" Her brother chuckled and answered Inuyasha's question about the rupees in the brown breakable pots. "Stupid chicken! Come back! Grr."

"Kagome, you look stunning. Your hair, I love it!" Rei hugged her daughter, "Although I loved the way you looked before, something tells me you feel more comfortable. Like you yourself own this new you." Her mother had an inkling this trip would be fruitful. "And you bought clothing I see! A change of pace from the school uniform. Excellent, I was beginning to get tired of washing that uniform."

Inuyasha decided to finally see what the commotion was about. He was curious why he didn't sense Kagome right away when she arrived, but upon walking into the kitchen with his arms folded into the sleeves of his red haori, he stopped in his tracks. He pointed a finger at Kagome, and his mouth dropped in shock. Who was this girl before him? It couldn't have been Kagome. Although her scent was mingled in with different scents which he could not place, he was speechless. She was drop dead gorgeous. He's never seen a woman or demoness as beautiful as the girl before him.

Kagome blushed under his gaze and wasn't sure what to make of the finger he was pointing at her. Was he disgusted? He sure wasn't saying much. Rei looked on in amusement. She could tell by the half-demon's expression that he liked Kagome's makeover.

Inuyasha's cheeks warmed at the person in front of him that is Kagome. Her hair, her face, even her scent. No longer that fifteen year old school girl that removed the cursed arrow from his chest, Kagome stood with the grace of a young woman and with the beauty of a princess.

As if finally noticing his delayed response, he recovered by closing his eyes and looking to the side. "You look-" He couldn't bring himself to say anything in front of her mother, so he resorted to changing the subject. "Now that you're finally back, we need to get going."

Kagome frowned at this. She didn't expect him to show up this soon, and wasn't ready to leave to go back just yet. "Inuyasha, I need to pack still, and there's some business that I need to resolve before I leave. I'm staying until noon tomorrow."

"Are you crazy? You've been gone for two days, we can't just sit here while Naraku is closer to finding the remaining jewel shards. I'd rather sit and have sake with Sesshomaru than see the likes of Naraku with his dirty hands on the jewel!" Inuyasha could care less at this moment whether she was packed or not, they were leaving now. He needed her by his side in this fight for the jewel, there was no way he was going back to Kaede's village empty handed.

Kagome looked at him apologetically, but rounded up the determination she had to counter his argument. She didn't know if she should tell him about her recent find earlier that day. Would there be a line she would be crossing if he knew? She had to read more of what was in the book to find out if she should divulge anymore information out. If she had tomorrow morning and more of that night to read, she would be able to figure out if she could share the information. "Look, I know what you're saying but half a day more isn't going to kill us. I have a life here too if you haven't forgotten. When I agreed to join the hunt for the jewel shards, I didn't think it would be a two year endeavour! Not including the shards we have and the ones Naraku has...there's only Kouga's jewel shards, Kohaku's, and a mystery shard somewhere in Japan." Kagome could see Inuyasha getting angrier.

Rei made this her time to interrupt them before Inuyasha and her daughter could make another comment, and a crater in her floor.

"Perhaps, I'll go check on the laundry...Oh Kagome your dinner is keeping warm in the oven, dear." Rei could sense she wasn't needed in this conversation and gave them their privacy to discuss their disagreement.

Kagome pleaded for her mom to stay, but Rei couldn't help her with this matter.

"Kagome, I'm not asking you to choose between here or my era, but you pledged your time to help me find the jewel shards. We agreed that you were only going to be gone a day. Two days have gone by, and now you want to stay for a third. We have things to do and accomplish in order to defeat Naraku." Inuyasha uncrossed his arms, placing one on his hip just above his sword. Kagome was left with no other choice but to plead now. Stepping forward towards the hanyou, she grasped his right arm lightly.

"Inuyasha, I wish I could tell you the reasons I am staying. I really do. You're my best friend...I need you to trust me this once, okay? Trust me that staying half a day more is actually helping our cause. I don't know if I will ever be able to tell you, but have faith in knowing that I'm using resources in my era to gain an advantage on Naraku. Please, please, please just let me do this and I will return to the feudal era by noon." Inuyasha noticed the seriously glint in her eyes, it was making it more difficult on him with how pretty she looked. He sighed, ears and shoulders dropping slightly in defeat.

He turned around like he was walking past her. "Fine." Kagome was about to say more, when she heard what he had said.

"You're going to let me stay?" Kagome looked at his back, smiling softly. She had won the argument.

"Kagome...if you're not back by noon tomorrow, we are leaving without you." Inuyasha gave her a stern look, and with that he left the house and headed back to the well.

'What a softy he can be. He tries to hide it, but everyone can see that it's all an act.' With Inuyasha gone, she would be able to focus on investigating the past, packing her things, and getting her mom to sign to contract.

Kagome vigorously emptied the shopping bags and cut the price tags off the garments. The library books were encircled in the garments. Once she was done going through all the garments, Kagome placed the library books on her desk and resumed folding her clothes and placing them into her new bag. She made a mental checklist of all the items she needed to pack. 'Flashlight, batteries, ice pack, spile, tarp, thermal emergency blanket, travel pillow, lighters, notebook, jewel shards, first aid kit, shoes, sleeping gear, rope, toiletries, plastic bags, clothes, umbrella, scarf, gloves, hat, detergent, leg warmers, knife, scissors, food containers, bear spray, flares, hot packs, map, small pot and pan.' Kagome walked briskly out of her room to grab ziplock baggies for the dry food. 'Rice, oatmeal, almonds and cashews, brown sugar, tea bags, granola bars, dried cranberries, noodles, chocolate, chips, virgin olive oil, and juice boxes. That should be enough for now.'

After packing all the essentials, Kagome went to the kitchen to eat the food left in the oven. Her mother, came back from the laundry room puzzled as Inuyasha was no where in sight. "Kagome, is everything alright? Where did Inuyasha run off to?"

"He's gone back." Kagome took a bite into her favourite meal that her mother prepared. "I actually wanted to discuss something with you ever since I got back from my trip with Eri."

"I need you to do me a favour, Mama. I am completing this application for a modeling job in Tokyo, but I need you to sign it to give the company permission to take photos of me clothed, they don't do nude or lingerie modeling. Just fragrances, and designer clothing."

"Oh my, that's wonderful dear." Rei smiled and clapped her hands in excitement. "But how are you planning on juggling modeling, school, and searching for jewel shards?"

"I figured I would give it until the end of school to commit myself to finding the jewel shards. By the summer time, I need to work in order to pay for first year's tuition. The holidays are coming up, so if I can't find the remaining jewel shards this week, I can resume during the holidays." Kagome confirmed her plan with pride.

"I'm sure you will find a way to make things work, regardless. Just be careful you don't overwhelm yourself dear." With that Rei rummaged for a pen in a jar sitting on the counter top and pulled out the kitchen chair to sit down to read over the terms of the contract. After looking over the details, Rei neatly signed and dated the contract before handing it back to her daughter.

Kagome was happy, aside from the recent disagreement between Inuyasha and herself she could tell Eri that she sent off the contract to Andre.

She would send the package off to Andre first thing in the morning, and call the office so they know she was on board with the modeling opportunity. Once that was done, she'll call Eri, do some reading, and leave immediately after for the feudal era.


November 28, 2016 - 8 AM

Kagome woke up early with a fresh start. She quickly took a shower, Feeling energized to get things in motion she ate breakfast and after filling her empty stomach, she grabbed the envelope with the completed signatures to take to the post office.

Zipping up her jacket, she shoved her feet into her black leather tall boots and shot off in a hurry. By 5 pm today, the mail would be sent off to Andre and everything would be finalized. When she reached the post office twenty minutes later, Kagome paid for the stamp and sent everything off. She felt good about this decision, it will definitely help her out in the long run. There was no guarantee that she would be living in the feudal era after this, especially not when Kikyo was still around. She has family here and friends, she can't just leave them behind. She also can't leave her feudal friends behind either...but when she gets there she'll make a more informed decision. First things first. She had to get the completed jewel, and destroy it.

She opened her cell phone and called the office right away. Michue answered on the third ring and Kagome introduced herself again before notifying the receptionist of the incoming package being sent to them. Michue was delighted that Kagome agreed to work with them, and asked her to book a separate appointment to come in and do a quick photo shoot for a portfolio. Kagome made sure to book it well in advance for when she was certain she would be back in the modern era.

"Perfect! Thanks so much, Kagome. We'll be in touch closer to your upcoming appointment." With a final goodbye, Kagome ended the call.

Still walking back to her house, Kagome noticed something up ahead. A cat ran out from a hidden alley, darting across the road to the other side of the street. Kagome slowed down her pace and cautiously approached walking past the alleyway. With her eyes darting into the slight darkness of the alley, she noticed a shiny item catch her eye. Looking around to see if anyone was around and watching her movements, she slowly ventured into the opening of the alleyway, and knelt down where she noticed the shiny object wedged between the alley wall and a dumpster.

Her hands moved over some sort of handle, and when she pulled back she discovered what the object was-a gun. As if being severely burned by the mere touch of the gun, she jumped back landing on her bottom. There were no firearms allowed in Japan, so to find one must have meant it was illegally smuggled into the city. A nagging feeling hit Kagome hard in the stomach. She shouldn't be in there. What if the owner of the gun purposely left it there to ambush someone like her? She would be the next victim if she didn't get out of there quick.

When she rose back to her feet to leave, she couldn't help but look at the gun again. If there were ever a time a gun would be useful, it would be in a battle. If she took it, and only used it in battle against evil, she would surely win with a shot to the opponent's head or heart. With that final thought, she rushed forward and picked up the weapon shoving it in her purse. She heard something drop from where she picked up the gun, and it nearly gave her a fright until she saw what had rolled out. Bullets. There was a large box of ammunition for the gun and it must have been propped up by something else before she removed the gun. Picking up the box of bullets, she stuffed them in her bag and dashed out of the alley way.

Her heart was beating frantically. She had sincerely hoped no one was watching her, especially if they were the owner of the hidden gun. Since she would be travelling on her own where evil and human-eating demons roamed, she would definitely need some extra protection. It would make up for her slower movements in battle.

Looking behind her every so often, Kagome made her way to a dollar store to pick up some velcro, glue, and a sewing kit. She was going to need to fashion some holsters for this weapon. With the left over money from her birthday gift, Kagome paid for the items and went on her way back home. She didn't see anyone suspicious that would be following her, but as soon as she saw a bus stop with a bus quickly approaching she took out her bus pass and hopped on to the vehicle. No one would be able to follow her now. Not when she was the only person that entered the bus at the stop.

It took ten minutes for her to get home, and by that time it was already close to 9:30 in the morning. Once inside the safety of her home, she ran up the steps two at a time, and headed straight for the well house. There was no way she was bringing a gun into her home. She was risking its discovery just by having it on the premises of the shrine. A place where it surely does not belong. She would have to hide it where her family couldn't find it, and by noon she would take it with her to the feudal era.

After calling Eri, Kagome was just about ready to leave. All she had to do was change her clothes from the school uniform to her new clothes she bought and read more of the Sengoku history book. She had put aside a separate outfit when she had packed yesterday so that she could wear it on day one of her adventure. She picked out a black jumpsuit that looked similar to the feudal era's haori and hakama pants style. The suit was styled like a halter top that was fully sewn in with the pants. The pants resembled bell bottoms in the way it slightly flared out at the ends. She layered the top portion with a grey cardigan and a dark brown fur vest. Kagome pulled out a satin black ribbon to tie around the middle section of the vest.

She re-applied the makeup she was given by the spa. Once Kagome finished, she grabbed her books on her desk, making sure to pack the Hunger Games into her backpack in a spot where she could pull it out easily. The last book she was still unsure of bringing was the history book. It was a shame this book didn't have a table of contents or index so that she could find information faster. 'I should start from the beginning. I might miss pertinent information if I don't.'

Taking a firm seat at her desk, she took a deep breath and flipped the book open once again. Placing her thumb against the edges of the pages, she fanned through to see if there were any noticeable pictures that would strike a memory or lead to the defeat of Naraku. Before she got to the end, a small folded square piece of parchment slid out from the bottom and landed softly on her desk.

Picking up the paper, Kagome gently opened it and found a date written inside. "February 16, 1517 under the full moon."

'What is this in reference to? What was so significant...wait. That's two and a half months away in feudal Japan.' Kagome eagerly searched for the spot where the piece of folded paper fell out. There was a gap that formed between two pages where the page fell out. It must have distorted the pages over time since its placement in the book. Feeling for the two warped pages, Kagome flipped to the section and found a drawing of what appeared to be a battle field littered with body parts of demons and human figures. An oversized moon crept behind a hill, and South of the hill and battlefield was a village with what looked to be shrine posts similar to the one in Kaede's village entrance. Everything was confirmed when Kagome read the name of the forest nearby. 'Inuyasha's Forest.'

The next page had another drawing. Instead of a wasteland of bodies, this one showed an enlarged spider web with individuals plastered to the web and unable to escape. Two lone figures stood at the bottom of the web. A girl dressed in dark blue pants and a long sleeved black shirt, aiming an arrow towards the darkened figure with tentacles coming out from their back. This must be her facing off Naraku. She could pinpoint eleven bodies trapped in the web all looking down in terror. Kagome could barely make out what the individuals were wearing but their hairstyles gave her a good idea of their identities. Going from left to right Kagome could identify the people: Kirara, Kohaku, Shippo, Sango, Miroku, Jaken, Sesshomaru, Koga, Inuyasha, Kikyo, and an unknown figure.

Kagome's heart was leaping out of her chest, she would face off against Naraku with no help from her trapped friends. How could she possibly succeed alone with a bow and arrow? Kagome hesitated before turning the page once more. She prayed that she didn't find her body amongst the corpses scattered on the ground. To Kagome's relief she only found a page of text instead of another graphic drawing.

'The final battle was one of the nail biting moments in feudal history. Many humans and demons died fighting for their lives and the salvation of the world. The main warriors fighting were: Inuyasha, Kikyo, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Shippo, Kirara, Lord Sesshomaru, Kouga, Jaken, and a nomadic priest named, Daisuke.

Naraku fought with his rogue demon army, Saimyosho, Kagura, Kanna, and Kohaku. The battle started when the first light of the full moon shone above the apex of the hill. Three figures walked to the top of the hill overlooking an empty field of grass just beyond the tree line of the forest that lay before them. In the distance past the field was Kaede's Village standing peacefully in the gloom of the night. In the dead quiet, a hum of wasps escalated behind the four figures, along with the growls belonging to a hoard of flying demons. Hundreds of insects and demons dotted the sky, and flew towards the village. Although, before the wasps and demons could get to the village they had to pass over or fly through the forest. As they descended into the forest, the wasps started falling to the ground. Only a tenth of the flying insects passed through alive and all the demons were purified. Upon seeing this Naraku encapsulated himself in his red barrier and approached the tree line. He noticed his insects dead and immobilized on the ground. A fog of smoke hazed the forest, but it resembled the appearance of mist. It was something he had not encountered before in his battles against his enemies.

The logical solution for Naraku was to fly above the poisoned forest, but as soon as he prepared to fly upwards and out of the tree line, the fog began to cluster towards him. As he tried to flee, the fog flew in pursuit and began attacking his barrier. His lackeys fell back in fear, as the fog consumed the outside of the barrier forming a large circle around it. it was a great, ball of grey and then an explosion of purple smoke flew out of either direction overwhelming the purification mist. The miasma devoured the mist and grew in area as it started killing off the forest rapidly. When the miasma took out 75% of the forest, a blast that could only belong to Tetsusaiga dissipated the miasma from fully taking out the last quarter of the forest.

A maniacal laugh that only belonged to Naraku echoed and stirred the next phase of the battle. Naraku sped East to the spot where the Kaze no Kizu was formed, but a darkened sky grew in a maelstrom pattern. Green lightning bolts flashed down on the West, striking in a zig zag towards Naraku. Naraku evaded each attack, got hit by a sacred arrow fired from the South. Kagura, Kanna, and Kohaku were ordered to fly using Kagura's feather to attack the newcomers from the South. As predicted more attacks kept building up between West and Eastern points, effectively shielding the South from Kagura and Kanna. As Naraku kept evading the attacks, the two warriors driving the attacks crept closer to their target until all three were in the same vicinity. Once this happened there was no longer a barrier of attacks keeping Kagura and Kanna from the South. Sesshomaru held his Tokijin, flared with energy while sensing its opponent near. Inuyasha pointed Tetsusaiga at Naraku in a battle stance, ready for the next attack.

Naraku jabbed about the brotherly effort to battle against him, and mocked Sesshomaru over working with his half-breed younger brother. Inuyasha snapped, and made the first move. Breaking the synchronization and running head-strong into the battle with Tetsusaiga raised over his shoulder. Sesshomaru glared heatedly at his half-brother. Naraku had baited him, and his stupid brother fell for his trick. Now they would be on the defence. Smirking, Naraku waited for Inuyasha to attack his barrier with the Adamant Barrage, and when he did, Naraku took the chance and projected his demonic appendages and tentacles towards the half-demon. Spearing into the air around Inuyasha, he grasped a hold of Inuyasha's torso, but his appendage was cut off before he could act. Inuyasha drove his sword left and right, up and diagonally back down. Roughly chopping through bits and pieces of Naraku. Sesshomaru took this distraction as his chance to sneak behind Naraku to deliver his Dragon Strike. Inuyasha sensing this, quickly called on his Backlash Wave to meet with the Dragon Strike in hopes that Naraku would be caught in the middle.

In a grand explosion, the two techniques met with an electric intensity that collided with Naraku and his barrier. Meanwhile, south of this battle waged another fight where Miroku, Sango, Kirara, and Kouga fought against enemies, Kagura and Kanna. Kagura had given Kanna a feather to fulfill the mission in decimating the village. Before Kanna had reached the village, a pile of Saimyosho lay dead at the entrance. Again a grey haze of mist floated in the air. When Kanna held out her mirror to absorb the mist, the mist aggressively attacked her and consumed the abnormally pale incarnation. When the mist disappeared, two females, a man, and a kitsune stepped out into the open air. Kikyo, Daisuke, Kagome, and Shippo had looked at where the girl stood, only to see a pile of ash in her place. The village vacated to another location beyond the well in Inuyasha's forest keeping them safe away from Naraku's evil intentions.

Daisuke and Kikyo mounted their horses, while Kagome grabbed onto to Shippo as he transformed. The quartet sped to their positions as planned. After defeating Kanna, they noticed the explosion from Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's attacks. Racing to their individual posts they waited for the right moment to attack. The explosion wasn't according to the original plan, but when it came to the Inu brothers they had their own minds and ways of improvising. So far the second phase was going well. They had spread the enemies far apart, and defeated one out of two.

Sango, Kirara, Miroku, and Kouga were having a more difficult time with the resilient, Kagura. They fought in the field beyond the decimated forest. Kagura had thrown her Dance of Blades numerous times, creating enough destruction to make it hard for Sango and Miroku to fight on even ground. The sky was Kagura's territory, and it seemed she had a hidden orb of demons to unleash. In killing the last of the demons with the wind tunnel, Hiraikotsu, and Goraishi, Kagura kept making the team fight on the defence, until Kagome shot an arrow into Kagura's attacking arm. Her arm holding the fan fell to the ground with a plop, and Sango went in for the finishing blow. When suddenly Kohaku jumped from his position on the feather using his chain and scythe to block the attack. Kouga, not wanting to waste the opportunity, flexed his Goraishi and caught a sliver of Kagura's torso as she fled the scene, leaving Kohaku behind with the monk and demon slayer. Angered by her retreat, Kouga ran after the wind sorceress in the direction of Naraku.

Kohaku was on the defensive blocking every swipe Sango made towards him to get him to stop running away. Kohaku fled back towards Naraku, but not before Kikyo grabbed him from behind and stabbed the tip of her sacred arrow into the jewel shard in his neck. Kohaku collapsed as visions of his past and present overwhelmed his mind. With the boy out cold, Sango carried his body to Kirara. Placing the boy on Kirara, Sango ordered Kirara to take Kohaku back to the villagers in the safe zone. Kirara took off without any protest, and Sango and Miroku sprinted towards to wreckage caused by Naraku, Inuyasha, and Sesshomaru.

The explosion hit Naraku with full force. When the smoke from the attack cleared, Naraku was no where to be seen. Everyone that had finished their battle had arrived at the scene. No trees stood and the field was left in ruins. The village still looked beautiful as ever amongst the wreckage.

With a resounding explosion a large black orb expanded into the sky covering the glow of the full moon. It was like a lunar eclipse, as the orb rose higher. A couple minutes passed, and the group was unsure what to make of the offensive orb. In the blink of an eye, the orb came crashing down with enough inertia and gravity to propel it heavily into the ground. An earthquake travelled across the hill, flattening and then shifting the plates of the earth beneath to create jagged deposits of deep trenches. The earth beneath everyone's feet split and crumbled. Hachi, came running to the rescue for Miroku and Sango as he transformed into his floating yellow self, Inuyasha jumped onto the raccoon dog scowling down at the mess. Shippo still transformed, kept Kagome safe on his pink bubble. Inuyasha glanced at everyone else, but was worried for Kikyo and Daisuke. He did not see them anywhere. Kouga had managed to stay out of trouble by quickly jumping to safety and avoiding falling rocks and earth. The black orb started to uncurl and a large black spider appeared. Before anyone could react the spider pulsed thrice and a large, dripping spider web formed against the skyline of toppled trees that were once behind the hill. Kagome's hair stood on end, when she looked behind her Kagura was holding an unconscious Kikyo and Daisuke as prisoners on her feather. Kagura chanted a spell and with her useable hand, she flicked her fan open to show Kagome she reunited with her dear friend.

Without much of a warning, Kagura swiped her fan while flying through the air behind her wonder-struck enemies. In a grand gesture she shouted, "Wind Gust!" The gust sent everyone flying towards the web, and the more they fought against the wind the less control they had in getting away. The gust barrelled towards them, and pushed them unceremoniously into a sticky, white web. As soon as their bodies connected with the web, the sticky fibres trapped their bodies into a cocoon-like shape leaving only their heads, hands, and feet showing. From left to right the fighters were all trapped. Naraku took this moment to return to his humanoid form. Cackling in his triumph, he couldn't believe the outcome. As it turned out the longer one stayed in the cocoon the more they would succumb to injury as the acid in the web will slowly dissolve through skin and bones.

Naraku paraded at this achievement. Kagura returned beside him with two more prisoners unconsciously lying on her feather. She repeated the same attack, plastering the bodies of the small neko demon and boy. Naraku rose from the ground, no longer needing the red barrier around himself. He floated just in front of Kohaku, his finger hooked underneath the boys chin and with an evil look at Sango he removed the shard from Kohaku's neck. Sango cried out in pain and horror, as her little brother was robbed of a second chance. Everyone had a look of shock and anger mixed in their expressions, while shouting profanities at him only made Naraku laugh more. He then went over to Kouga, and ripped out the shards in his legs. Kouga bit down a howl, so as to not give into the pain Naraku wanted to inflict on him. Naraku moved down the procession where Kikyo hung waking up from her unconsciousness. He took out the mostly completed jewel and added the three extracted jewel shards to it. He only needed two more shards.

Naraku taunted her and licked her cheek asserting his power over her useless self. Inuyasha only got angrier, and Kagome had to stop Naraku before he did something to Kikyo. Kagome took this time to draw Naraku's attention away from Kikyo. As if forgetting Kagome was even there, Naraku dropped his hand from Kiko's head and drew closer to Kagome. An idea sparked in Nark's mind, and Kagome suddenly found herself falling ten feet to the ground. She fell to the side, with the cocoon taking most of the impact. Naraku sliced open the cocoon demanding Kagome stand up and fight. Demanding that she fight for the person she very much despised because of her existence stopping her from winning over Inuyasha. Kagome faltered in getting up, frozen from the taunts. Naraku laughed menacingly at how pathetic she was when she doesn't have anyone to protect her. Kagome looked back up at her friends, each one of them fearing for her safety. Most were telling her to cut them down, and to run. Kagome ignored the shouts telling her to run. She took an arrow out and moved to cut away at the web holding Inuyasha, but Naraku used one of his tentacles and slashed her back, punishing her for turning her back to him. Kagome in her struggle with the pain and to keep her balance, lost half her arrows in the tumble. Inuyasha was screaming at her to get up, not knowing what to do for the girl. Naraku slashed her again and again, until she lay bloody on the ground.

Before Naraku could touch her again, Kagome rolled over to her side and started singing. Finding the strength in her words, her body glowed with the force of her determination. She stood up shakily, and brought as much spiritual energy to her hands as she could. Kagome sprinted with the last of her energy at Naraku. Coiling her arm back with enough force she swung her body into the punch. When her fist connected with Naraku's jaw he stumbled back holding his face in pain as the spiritual reiki peeled away the skin and bones of his right cheek, nose and jaw. Kagome brought her hands to his chest where she could feel the jewel. In an attempt to get Kagome away from his body, Naraku plunged his tentacles into her stomach, spearing her through the gut. He pulled back and dropped the girl's limp body to the ground. Naraku didn't realize that Kagome had already reached into his chest to grab the almost completed jewel at this point. Before he could get anywhere fast, a blur had ripped into his chest and pulled out the orb containing his heart. Crushing it within his clawed hands, the hanyou-gone full demon destroyed Naraku for good. Inuyasha stooped down and pulled Kagome in his arms. His eyes still tinted red, but his amber eyes glossed over with tears. Kagome since being tossed to the ground, no longer held the Shikon no Tama and it had rolled away on the ground. Inuyasha rocked the girl's body close to his. He could barely hear her heart beat and it was quickly drifting away in its unsteady and slowing rhythm. The girl that released him from his eternal slumber, the girl that taught him how to love himself and make lasting friendships, the girl that devoted herself to his cause...gone. He couldn't do anything.

Sesshomaru walked beside his brother, swiping at death's servants from hell with his Tenseiga. He couldn't slice through them, something wasn't right. Kagome's soul flickered with a darkening colour. Sesshomaru noticed her soul was incomplete and so he could do nothing to help her. Inuyasha went berserk, even after Sesshomaru explained that her soul could not be brought back incomplete. Kikyo, sickened by the sight of Inuyasha holding Kagome's dying body, refused to give the soul back until Inuyasha returned to hell with her. Kagome in her last moments whispered something for Inuyasha's ears only, and it broke his composure. He knew what he had to do.

'I can't read this anymore. He leaves me to die and goes to hell with Kikyo. I really should have just returned to the feudal era last night.' Kagome cried hard, feeling the sobs wrack through her back and stomach. 'I can't let this happen. I won't! Is this some sort of punishment for the deaths I've caused?'